```


    Tricky.


    This was the most immediate impression Ayakoji Chiyoko had of Kagura Hikaru.


    It was one thing for him to have good skills, but his y was also stable.


    She was forced to use that rather troublesome method and had barely managed to push out a w, only for her opponent to crush through and steal a point with hand speed.


    In a word, it could only be described as outrageous.


    It was like when you''re ying a game and you''ve just used up yourst Blood Bottle to get the boss down to low health, ready for the kill, only to find out the opponent has a hidden second phase that instantly defeats you, and you have to start over.


    If Ayakoji Chiyoko didn''t have a strong heart, her mentality would have exploded the instant she was countered.


    The second set began.


    Having lost a point not only did not make Ayakoji Chiyoko more cautious, she even became bolder in her approach, often trying oundish tactics, even using unusual techniques such as releasing one hand or frequently lifting her Bamboo Sword.


    The goal was still the same, to force Kagura Hikaru to expose his own weaknesses.


    However, Kagura Hikaru seemed to have seen through her npletely, remaining indifferent to every move Ayakoji Chiyoko made, maintaining a calm and steady defensive stance, as unmovable as a mountain.


    He made no unnecessary moves, and his movements were minimal, even graceful, in stark contrast to the frenzy of Ayakoji Chiyoko.


    Just in terms of style, they were like the difference between a spear and a shield.


    No wonder Ayakoji Chiyoko said they were natural rivals.


    Even the audience started to feel that it was only right for these two to meet on this stage; anything less would have been a pity.


    The decisive moment came unexpectedly.


    It was another feint from Ayakoji Chiyoko that failed as she retreated, thinking she could, like before, regroup and attack again, but Kagura Hikaru suddenly lunged.


    "Throat!"


    The blunt Bamboo Sword at that moment was like Zhao Yun''s Bright Silver Spear at Changban Slope, with a sh of cold light reaching first, followed by the sword thrusting out like a dragon, striking its target.


    It smacked right into Ayakoji Chiyoko''s chin.


    Although the momentum and force were enough, this was not a scoring point, and it shouldn''t have been a simple mistake of hitting the wrong spot for Kagura Hikaru.


    What happened was Ayakoji Chiyoko reacted at thest moment, slightly bowed her head, and narrowly used the Faceguard to block the sword that Kagura Hikaru aimed at her throat.


    She stepped back half a step to create some distance while still unsettled, sizing up Kagura Hikaru as he calmly regrouped.


    Ayakoji Chiyoko suddenly realized one of his characteristics, which was his fondness for thrusting.


    In thepetition so far, he had scored with Throat Stabs far more often than the otherpetitors, including her.


    A Throat Stab was indeed a difficult point to score, and the number of times sessful should have been low, yet Kagura Hikaru peculiarly increased its usage rate.


    Aside from practicality, the only other exnation was personal preference.


    The method to counter a Throat Stab was simple: guard the middle line strictly, and concentrate so as not to be taken by surprise.


    For Ayakoji Chiyoko, this was not difficult.


    In addition, knowing this information also gave her another strategic consideration, which was to deliberately expose a w that made it easy for a Throat Stab, to draw Kagura Hikaru into attacking, thus creating an opportunity for a counter.


    It was a risky n, but Ayakoji Chiyoko was undaunted and decisively implemented it.


    This was partly due to the pressure Kagura Hikaru put on her, and also because the time for the second set was about to end; continuing like this would result in bothpetitors scoring one point, dering Kagura Hikaru the 2:1 winner, which would not be to her advantage.


    Her goal was to win, not to just score one point against Kagura Hikaru, a rather modest wish.


    Ayakoji Chiyoko and Kagura Hikaru cautiously measured the distance between them, focusing on each other''s entire body.


    The sword''s edge, footwork, hand gestures, and the movement of the waist and elbows all had to be taken into consideration.


    The details of body movement can predict an opponent''s next move in advance, a Skill every high-level Sword Daopetitor must master.


    Bothpetitors on the field were experts in their craft, naturally not showing any ws, with all their offensives hidden behind calmness, hinting at an atmosphere before a storm.


    But gradually, Kagura Hikaru noticed that Ayakoji Chiyoko''s strength seemed to be rxing, and her sword lifting didn''t have the same precision as in the beginning.


    Perhaps it was because she had exerted herself too much earlier, depleting too much energy.


    Engaging in intense exercise while wearing armor is far more strenuous than one might imagine, and it doesn''t take long to work up a sweat.


    ```


    Moreover, Ayakoji Chiyoko was a woman, inherently at a disadvantage in terms of physical strength.


    Even so, Kagura Hikaru never let his guard down, maintaining a defensive posture on the premise that his opponent was intentionally revealing weaknesses, waiting for Ayakoji Chiyoko to attack.


    As time dragged on, a whistle suddenly blew, and the referee dered that time was up, instructing thepetitors to return to the start line and rmence.


    The duration of a Sword Dao match was five minutes. If a winner couldn''t be decided, a three-minute extension would be added. If it was still a tie after that, each yer would receive one point.


    Kagura Hikaru and Ayakoji Chiyoko entered the three-minute tiebreaker.


    At this moment, both harbored a desire to attack.


    Neither Kagura Hikaru nor Ayakoji Chiyoko wished to end this match by stalling; such an oue would be too uninteresting for them.


    Thus, when the match resumed, they both disyed an exceptional offensive eagerness, constantly making probing moves, with the intensity of their psychological battle reaching its zenith during those three minutes, satisfying the connoisseurs in the audience.


    Including the Keihanshin team, who had already been eliminated and were now watching from the sidelines, as well aspetitors from other schools, all watched their exchange intensely, as if they were viewing a real wartime documentary—so engrossed they didn''t notice their palms sweating, their eyes firmly fixed on the twopetitors on the field.


    Yuqiu High School''s Hosaka Yui and others dared not even breathe too heavily, waiting silently yet excitedly for the oue of the match.


    Finally, amidst the fierce exchange of swords, Ayakoji Chiyoko found herself at a disadvantage, her move to guard was a step too slow, her center wide open, revealing a straight path before Kagura Hikaru.


    It was the perfect opportunity for a Throat Stab, he instinctively felt.


    And then, he struck.


    Hidden beneath the faceguard, Ayakoji Chiyoko''s eyes shed cunningly for just a moment.


    He had finally taken the bait!


    She had strained to craft the illusion of being out of breath, all for this moment—to lead Kagura Hikaru into believing she had a vulnerability in her center line so that he would strike directly at it.


    She was already prepared; as soon as Kagura Hikaru made his move, she would shift to attack below, aiming for his torso, almost certain to hit. Because when executing a Throat Stab, the tip of the sword would definitely be raised, making it difficult to defend against an attack from below.


    This was the only chance Ayakoji Chiyoko could find.


    In her eyes, the world seemed to slow down.


    She saw Kagura Hikaru lift his sword and thrust it forward, his body maintaining the ready-to-defend posture, but there was an inevitable small opening.


    Now was the moment!


    Ayakoji Chiyoko''s body leaned to the left, her waist lowered, as she swung her sword fiercely.


    "Torso!!"


    "Face!"


    Thwack, thwack.


    Two sounds of bamboo swords hitting their targets echoed simultaneously on the field.


    Hit!


    Ayakoji Chiyoko thought excitedly.


    However, that emotionsted less than a second before confusion took over.


    Why did Kagura Hikaru yell "Face!" instead of "Throat!" just now?


    Due to her extreme focus, she was slow to register the sensation of being struck on the head from the brief moment they passed each other.


    Kagura Hikaru''s attack wasn''t at the throat, but at the top of her head?!


    In the event that bothpetitors hit scoring points simultaneously during the match, neither would be effective!


    She turned in surprise, only to see Kagura Hikaru swooping in again, his bamboo sword whistling through the air as it bypassed Ayakoji Chiyoko''s hastily raised sword.


    "Throat!"n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Sessful in his strike, Kagura Hikaru retreated two steps, maintaining Lingering Spirit.


    The match was decided.


    Two referees raised red gs.


    Kagura Hikaru versus Ayakoji Chiyoko, 2:0, Kagura Hikaru won.